Quetta Shura

The Quetta Shura is a shura (religious cuncil) of Taliban leaders that were based from the city of Quetta in Baluchistan, Pakistan. The shura was formed after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was overthrown by the United States and Northern Alliance in 2001, with the Taliban leaders in Afghanistan fleeing to Pakistan to find sanctuary. The Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan were like cousins, making travel between the two countries very easy for Pashtuns, yet harder for other countries such as the United States. The Quetta Shura was allowed to meet in Quetta by the Pakistani government, which regarded the Quetta Shura, Taliban, and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as separate groups, and the Quetta Shura were allowed to stay as long as they did not commit any crimes.